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ASIAN NUCLEAR ENERGYASIAN NUCLEAR ENERGYVol. 2 Issue 2 Aug - Sept 2009

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India,FutureGlobal

FBR TechLeader

India,FutureGlobal

FBR TechLeader- Dr. Anil Kakodkar

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PERSPECTIVE

EVENT

FOCUS

COVER STORY

REPORT

Asian Nuclear Energy Aug-Sept 2009 03

India, Future Global FBR Tech Leader

NPCIL in Deals with Foreign

& Local Firms to Meet Target

A Win-Win Situation for India & N-Tech Nations

Towards A WorldFree From N-Weapons

SCHOTT's Symposium on Safety Tech for

Future Indian N-Reactors

India a Rising Power on the Global Nuclear Horizon


Dear Reader,

Greetings from the bimonthly Asian Nuclear Energy and the portal

www.asiannuclearenergy.com, both New Media products dedicated to

promoting global nuclear commerce. It is heartening to note that a large number

of eminent nuclear scientists and industry leaders connected with the peaceful use

of nuclear energy are meeting in New Delhi to mark the occasion of the birth

centenary of late Homi Bhabha to rededicate themselves to the ideals of the late

eminent nuclear scientist. The occasion rightly comes at a time when India is

heralding a new era in harnessing nuclear energy for the economic development

of the country. We wish the conference a grand success. India's huge energy

requirements and its historic deal with the United States on cooperation in civilian

nuclear energy has spurred global commerce in this key area. In the current

scenario, India's capability and the lead it has taken in building Fast Breeder

Reactors (FBRs) stand out. The cover story of the current issue of Asian Nuclear

Energy is an exclusive interview with Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil

Kakodkar, who says confidently that India will be a future global leader in FBR

technology. In the focus section, we have a report on the ongoing plans of Nuclear

Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), which is busy inking deals with both foreign

and local corporate entities involved in setting up nuclear reactors. India's entry into

the area of nuclear energy in a big way has brought in its wake both challengers and

opportunities. Prof. P.M. Kamath discusses these issues in detail in an in-depth article.

The German high-technology giant SCHOTT is offering the much needed Electrical

Penetration Assemblies (EPAs) to Indian nuclear plants. We carry a write-up. We are

also carrying a report on a symposium conducted by SCHOTT on nuclear reactor

safety technology. Kazakhstan was once a ground for innumerable nuclear tests. Today

the country is celebrating the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site. We carry

a report. The issue also carries a detailed, up-to-date report of the World Nuclear

Association on the overall nuclear energy scenario in India. Besides these, there is a

news report about the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revising upwards the

targets for nuclear energy production worldwide, with both India and China launching

massive plans to set up nuclear reactors.

Wish you happy reading

Satya Swaroop

Managing Editor

[email protected]

Editorial

Cover Story


Installed Capacity to Rise to 40,000 MWe by 2020

India, Future Global FBR Tech Leader - Kakodkar

Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and

Secretary to the Department of the Atomic Energy (DAE) is upbeat about the

country emerging as a global hub of nuclear energy equipment manufacturing,

technology trade and commerce. A key negotiator of the historic Indo-US

civilian nuclear energy agreement, culminating in the lifting of the 34-year-long

ban on India by the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, Dr. Kakodkar says that India's

capability to independently build small sized Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors

(PHWRs) and thorium-based Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) which will have

considerable demand in the future in the developing countries. In an exclusive

interview to Asian Nuclear Energy, Dr. Kakodkar says the lead that India has

taken in designing and building FBRs will make the country a global

technological leader in this crucial area in the future. Dr. Kakodkar believes that

India's nuclear power generation programme, which offers immense potential

for technology and equipment suppliers from across the globe through joint

ventures will result in an additional installed nuclear power capacity of 40,000

MWe by 2020. He says that India's capabilities in nuclear energy could also

provide enhanced export opportunity for the Indian manufacturing sector to

tap emerging markets in nuclear business. Following are excerpts from the

interview.

Dr. Anil Kakodkar,

Chairman of India's Atomic

Energy Commission (AEC)

and Secretary to the

Department of the Atomic

Energy (DAE)

Cover Story


The world is surely moving towards nuclear energy

as the best option due to global warming and

climate change. What opportunities do you see for

India in the emerging scenario?

The Indo-US nuclear deal has opened the doors to

India for carrying out legitimized nuclear

commerce. Please enumerate the immediate and

long-term spin-offs.

India has developed the thorium-based nuclear fast

breeder reactor (FBR) to overcome the shortage of

uranium supply. What is its role in India's future

nuclear power generation programme?

There are reports suggesting envisaged

collaborations worth $150 billion for setting up a

total capacity of 10,000 MWe using equipment and

materials from US reactors and companies. Do you

expect any significant move or development in this

regard during the forthcoming visit to India of US

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?

You are planning to scale up India's installed

nuclear power capacity by nearly five times to

20,000 MWe by 2020 from the present 4,120 MWe,

which is less than three percent of the country's total The Economic Survey (2008-09) has suggested

power production. Is the policy frame work in place allowing Foreign Direct Investment of up to 49

to enable investment to realize a target this high? percent in Indian nuclear power plants. Is any policy

What incentives the government is expected to announcement expected from the government in

announce in order to boost private participation in this regard?

this industry?

Will there be any amendments to the

Atomic Energy Act with regard to

facilitating the private sector's entry into

the closely guarded nuclear power

generation field?

As mentioned above, Atomic Energy Act requires nuclear

power generation to be done by a government company

in which at least 51 percent shares are held by the Central

Government. The private sector can however carry out

manufacturing of nuclear equipment and other supply On short term basis the small size Pressurized Heavy

chain activities including construction.Water Reactors (PHWRs) have a potential to be supplied

to some developing countries. With nuclear energy likely

to become centre stage, Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) are

expected to be in considerable demand in future. With

India having taken the lead in this crucial area, we could

very well be the technological leaders worldwide. Same The nuclear commerce in India has always been

thing could happen in the context of thorium systems a legitimate. In fact, India is well known for its responsible

little later.behavior in conducting its nuclear business. Immediate

benefit of the international civil nuclear commerce with

other countries will be an additionality of installed

nuclear power capacity (40,000 MWe by 2020) over and

above that to be achieved through the indigenous three-

stage programme. Thorium based reactor technology forms the third stage

of the three- stage Indian Nuclear Power Programme. It is

envisaged that after about the middle of the country,

reactors based on thorium will become commercial not

only for electricity generation but also for providing high

temperature process heat for industries and hydrogen as

a clean fuel as substitute for the petroleum based fuels.

Taking into consideration the vast thorium resources in

the country, it will provide energy for several centuries.While the outlay indicated in the question seems highly

inflated, discussions are currently taking place between

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. and US vendor

companies.

The present installed nuclear power capacity

in India is 4,120 MWe. Out of the 20,000

MWe target mentioned in your question and

which is likely to be revised upwards, NPCIL

can manage about 10,000 MWe through its

own financial resources. Atomic Energy Act in

its current form does allow investment by

private sector up to the extent of 49 percent.

Cover Story


opening up of very large potential of nuclear power. DAEFDI in Indian Nuclear Power Plants is not envisaged.

would continue its engagement with the Indian industry in

this regard.

Yes, certainly.

Negotiations are already in progress with vendors from

France, Russia and USA for this purpose.

We expect around 25 percent of power to be realized by We certainly expect enhanced export opportunity for the

nuclear power plants on the basis of further indigenous Indian manufacturing sector in nuclear business

development of the 2000 MWe programme by 2020. following appropriate export control regime.

Another nearly 25 percent is expected to come as an

additionality based on initial imports of LWRs/uranium to

the extent of 40,000 MWe. Thus the proportion of

nuclear power by 2050 could well be around 50 percent

(~ 600-700 GWe) if we successfully bring to bear the

indigenous capability built as part of the three-stage

Indian nuclear power programme on the initial

additionalities through imports.

It is important that the Indian industry maintains their

technological competence and freedom to support

emerging markets both within the country and outside

UCIL is poised to expand supplies to our expandingand in so doing they should not allow themselves to be

nuclear power programme. Further, AMD is subjected to extraterritorial application of

aggressively pushing exploration foreign laws that restrict their

activities by bringing inparticipation in the domestic

modern technology.development of the

three-stage nuclear

p o w e r

programme

which is

the key

t o

With multinational companies planning to

manufacture nuclear power equipment in India to

How soon will the project for setting up nuclearmeet local as well as global demand, do you expect

parks in different States across the country, eachthe country to become part of the global supply

providing for six to eight reactors of 1,000-1,650 chain?

MW be ready?

Three decades of isolation has also made India

realize its capabilities in the nuclear power

You have ambitious plans of meeting 25 percent of generation sector. In the light of India's acceptability

power generation from nuclear plants by 2050.by the global nuclear community, what are the

What will be the estimated installed nuclear power prospects of outsourcing of equipment/component

generation capacity by then?manufacture to this country?

With global nuclear power firms eyeing

partnerships with Indian companies, you have

recently advised Indian companies to "exercise due

diligence and read the fine print" before signing

deals. Do you intend to issue any guidelines to

Indian companies, defining their priorities in this

regard to enable the country to become a supply

chain king, as you said recently?

What is the overall uranium supply scenario and

what will be Uranium Corporation of India's

contribution to it in the long run?

�

The International Atomic Energy Agency The IAEA said ongoing concerns about

(IAEA) has elevated its nuclear power global warming, energy security, and fossil

projections for 2030 recently, with China, fuel prices meant nuclear power was still

India, Japan and South Korea seen seen as a good bet in the medium to long

embracing atomic energy more than term.

before.The agency said governments, utilities and

The Vienna-based agency expects installed vendors were seen firming their

nuclear power capacity to rise by at least 40 commitment to previously-announced

percent worldwide over the next two decades to around projects and this raised confidence in the sector over the

510 gigawatts. It could more than double in one longer term, despite the financial turmoil.

scenario, the agency said. A new verification agreement between the IAEA and India

The projections were 8.0 percent higher than last year's in August last year also raised nuclear power prospects

estimates for 2030 and predictions for Asian countries in for the country which is expected to become one of the

particular helped to step up the projections. biggest users of atomic energy.

"The financial crisis that started in late 2008 has affected Nuclear supplier countries lifted restrictions on nuclear

the prospects of some projects, but its impact has been trade with India after the agreement, allowing India to

different in different parts of the world," the IAEA said in a accelerate its planned atomic power expansion.

statement.The IAEA projections are drawn from nuclear experts

"The medium- and long-term factors driving rising worldwide who look at operating reactors, licence

expectations for nuclear power have not changed renewals, planned shutdowns and possible construction

substantially." projects in their calculations. �

Global Outlook

IAEA Hikes Global N-PowerGeneration Projections for 2030

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N u c l e a r P o w e r

Corporation of India

Ltd (NPCIL), the State-

o w n e d c o m p a n y with French energy major Areva to set up two new nuclear spearheading the country's nuclear power power reactors in the country's western State of generation programme, is busy having tie-upsMaharashtra.with both foreign and local companies to achieve

its target of 40,000 MW by 2020. NPCIL and Areva had already signed a deal to provide

300 tonnes of Uranium for fuel deficient Indian nuclear NPCIL is currently operating 17 reactors and five are

reactors. This was a result of the recently signed Indo-under construction. State-run NPCIL operates 17 plants

French deal to co-operate in nuclear programme. in India with a total generating capacity of 4,120

megawatts. It is building six more plants with a capacity of Jain said, "As a follow up to the Intergovernmental 3,160 MW. Agreement, we will be signing an MoU with Areva for

setting up of two French reactors." NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director S.K. Jain the

company is also partnering with NTPC Ltd. to build up to Jain said, "Details of setting up of the plants will take place eight nuclear power plants. "We have almost finalized the in due course of time and the projects are expected to terms and conditions of the joint venture, which we are begin as soon as formalities with IAEA (International going to sign very soon," he said in recent newspaper Atomic Energy Agency) is completed on safeguards interview. NPCIL will hold a 51 percent stake in the joint agreement." Yet more deal with the US energy major venture and NTPC will hold the remaining 49 percent. Westinghouse Electric may also take place after approval

from US authorities. Speaking to reporters on the margins of a conference on

the energy sector, Jain said NPCIL is signing pacts with Meanwhile, NPCIL is planning to raise funds up to Rs two other government firms to fund its new projects. “We 35,000-40,000 crore in next five years. Jain said, "Fundare going in for public partnership. We will sign a raising will be through a combination of domestic memorandum of understanding with Indian Oil financial institutions and external commercial borrowings Corporation and Nalco (National Aluminium Corp),” he (ECBs)."said.

NPCIL is also in talks with Indian Oil Corp. and National Jain also said talks were on to evolve a model that will Aluminium Co. for the two state-run companies to invest allow a greater participation of the private sector in in the nuclear power monopoly's upcoming energy owning and operating a nuclear power plant. projects,. Jain has said recently.

The company presently operates 17 nuclear power plants "We are in talks with them and, maybe, very soon we will with total installed capacity of 4,120 MM. It also has five be entering into a memorandum understanding with reactors under construction with a total capacity of 2,660 these companies," he said during an industry event.MW two each in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan and one in

Indian Oil is willing to invest Rs10 billion per year, while Karnataka.

talks with National Aluminium regarding the size of its In another development, NPCIL is planning to sign a deal investment are on, he said. �

Focus


NPCIL in Deals with Foreign& Local Firms to Meet Target

India's engineering giant

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has

emerged as a major player

on the country's throbbing

nuclear energy scene, far. In a nuclear power plant, the steam generators are thanks a surge in demand for equipment for a large most critical equipment that require a long lead time.number of nuclear plants in the pipeline. The $8.5

Further, L&T has won a prestigious “Technologybillion Technology, Engineering & Construction Development” order from Department of Atomic Energy company has the capability to manufacture a vast (DAE, MRPU) for Welded Grid plate as per a new design range of equipment that goes into nuclear rectors. by IGCAR. The grid plate is the core assembly of a FastBut it does not design nuclear reactors. In recent Breeder Reactor.months L&T has entered into a number of

agreements with foreign companies in order to With this, L&T's nuclear power plant equipment business bridge the know-how that it requires. The historic unit has won orders for a total value of Rs.405 crores over agreement between India and US on co-operation the just one week. L&T has played a critical role in the in the field of civilian nuclear energy signed in development of technology and capabilities for the October last year opened up new opportunities for Indian nuclear power sector for the last four decades. global nuclear commerce.

L&T is the only Indian manufacturer authorized by the L&T Senior Executive Vice President (Heavy Engineering) American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to use M V Kotwal said recently in a newspaper interview that N and NPT Stamp for design and manufacture of while the company's construction and manufacturing equipment of nuclear island as per international capability has already been established, it is only for standards. No wonder, L&T is one of India's most design that some tie-ups with a foreign company could respected private sector companies. become necessary,

L&T serves the power sector across the entire spectrum "We are already an established manufacturer of the from design services to equipment manufacture, Candu type pressurised heavy-water type reactors. We erection, construction and commissioning of complete have the capability to manufacture the main pressure projects on turnkey basis. vessels and core equipment for those reactors. But we

A strong customer-focused approach and the constant don't design the reactors. It is only there that we may need quest for top-class technology and quality have enabled to have a tie-up," he said.L&T to attain and sustain leadership position in its major

Recently, L&T has won a repeat order for design, lines of business over the past seven decades. manufacture and supply of four steam generators for 700

A number of foreign companies, including – Areva of MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) for France, GE & Westinghouse of the US and Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP) 7&8 from the Atomstroyexport of Russia, are exploring opportunities in Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). the Indian market for supply of not only reactors but fuel

These will be the largest steam generators built in India so as well. �

Focus


L&T Emerging as Major

Player in N-Equipment Supply

India has a great shortage of power. Any one who has expected to double by 2025. One major way of meeting

lived in any part of India in the last few years would this need should be by increasing investment in nuclear

vouchsafe for this fact. I live in an area called Mulund, energy and getting access to the latest state of the art

which is the last suburb in northeast of Mumbai city. Once civilian nuclear technology.

this was a sleepy town, and a private company called

Thane Electricity Co. Ltd provided power. But it was

nationalised and Maharashtra State Electricity Board India-US Civil Nuclear Deal (CND) that began in July (MSEB) became power provider, and thence onwards 2005 and culminated in July 2008 was a major step in began the problems of power cuts and load shedding. moving towards generating nuclear energy. Different

policy makers have alluded to different objectives the US But after the Government of India went on the path of and India look forward to achieve. George W. Bush, Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG) in a coming from the energy industry knew that China and big way, Mulund became, all of a sudden, Queen of India are two rapidly developing economies and as such North-eastern suburbs with malls, McDonalds and are competitors to acquire fossil fuel. This will naturally multiplexes coming up, domestic tourists started pouring make India along with China to compete with the US for a in; shootings for films and TV serials became common share of globally dwindling fossil energy resources. The features. But power cuts - unplanned and planned load Sino-Indian growing demand for fossil fuel sends up the shedding - have also become part of Mulund, almost prices in the US domestic market, which the US would like permanently!to prevent. The nuclear deal would help India to diversify

This situation has arisen because power generation has its energy development sources. not simply kept pace with the LPG and growing demand

Second, India switching over gradually to nuclear energy for power. Of the total power consumed in India, 67 will also help limit the greenhouse effects. The former percent comes from coal-fired stations, 20 percent from French President Chirac pleaded that France would like to oil and gas, 10 percent is hydroelectric power, and only extend a helping hand within the non-proliferation 3.0 percent is nuclear.framework and existing agreements to help India meet its

Coal based power generation is increasingly becoming a energy needs. He justified French willingness to matter of international concern as it generates collaborate with India by relying on its effect in greenhouse effect. Oil based power production is likely to eradicating greenhouse effect when he said: In case be costly with growing cost of fossil fuel in the developed nations do not “help India to produce international market. The competition to acquire oil electricity using nuclear power, we would let India resources particularly by China is only growing fierce as develop into a chimney “for greenhouse gasses.” days pass by. Hydraulic power is also a dwindling source.

Third, to achieve much-needed poverty eradication, Renewable energy like wind or sun has a limited scope. economic strength is needed and to maintain tempo in Only hope is in expanding use of environment friendly economic growth, energy is essential and the nuclear civil and clean nuclear energy.deal enables India to generate economic power by

There is the shortage of power production and with the generating clean nuclear energy. Recently, Primerapid industrialisation gap in the need for power and Minister's special envoy on nuclear deal, Sham Saran said shortfall is bound to grow. India's need for energy is

Civil Nuclear Deal: A Major Step

Perspective


P M Kamath

Challenges & Opportunities Accompany N-Energy

A Win-Win Situation for India & N-Tech Nations

that by 2030, India would produce 60,000MW of Government of India might choose to implement it more

nuclear energy. cautiously. Sham Saran, for instance, invited private

players to participate in the building of nuclear power The CND has not only enabled acceptance of India by the

stations by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd major powers as a “responsible” nuclear power but it has

(NPCIL). “Once the private players gain experience in the also given India access to nuclear technology to generate

nuclear field, the government may consider allowing energy to achieve energy security. President of

them nuclear plants of their own.” Confederation of Indian Industry, R. Seshasayee is

reported to have said and rightly, that the law for peaceful

nuclear cooperation is a vote of confidence in India.” But CND is a positive development in meeting India's Similarly, the President of the US-India Business Council, nuclear energy needs. But having won the deal through Ron Somers described the legislation as bringing about a Lok Sabha last July and Manmohan Singh having won shift in the bilateral relations between the two power for a second term, there is the benefit of continuity democracies.to negotiate remaining measures needed to complete the

The scope of the 123 agreement on civil nuclear CND. Prime Minister has also a unique opportunity to cooperation is fairly wide, covering civil nuclear reactors, fulfill his several promises advanced in the context of fuel and reprocessing for production of nuclear energy. national acceptance of the CND.Additionally, it includes “advanced nuclear energy

Indian government has plans to provide power to every research and development...”; nuclear safety matters; home by 2012. This is possible only by augmenting exchange of scientists; “advanced research and power generation in the country. In the increase of power development of nuclear sciences.” output, nuclear energy is the highly suited option. NPCIL

In many meetings addressed by me on CND, two issue has plans to buy eight reactors. Of these, the US is likely to raised by the critics of nuclear energy are: Why the US get to build exclusively two reactorsone by the GE and the while trying to sell nuclear reactors in a big way to India, second by the Westinghouse. After the completion of not really doing much to move rapidly enough to CND process, the first meeting of the India-US civil generate more nuclear power itself. Second, and related nuclear energy working group was held towards the end issue is safety-factor in nuclear energy. It should be noted of April this year to give further momentum to the CND.that the US had in the 1970s plans to develop over 1000

nuclear plants and the slogan was: Electricity would be

“too cheap to meter.” But the 1979 Three Mile Island I am an ardent supporter of the CND. But current regime

nuclear accident placed a break on the expansion. Yet,change in the US with Democrats coming to power, what

US today have 104 nuclear plants collectively producing we see is a return of their inborn tendency to use every

one-fifth of total electricity produced in the US. But the economic lever to bring about a change in Indian foreign

Bush administration initiated rebirth of nuclear energy policy behaviour. And that is a bad omen for Indian efforts

with the submission of a new nuclear power project by to use nuclear energy to fast track economic

NRG Energy and South Texas Project Nuclear development. In the specific case of cooperation in civil

Operating Co. nuclear technology trade, India expects US to include

On the safety issue, the Government of India had argued, trade across the full nuclear fuel cycle: nuclear reactors,

and rightly, that nuclear cycle is incomplete without the nuclear fuels and reprocessing the spent fuel.

right to reprocess used nuclear fuel. It is not only a storage The 123 agreement also ensures its non-military

problem, but also poses a health hazard. Insistence on character when it states, “the purpose of this agreement is

this right had created maximum heat in negotiations to provide for peaceful nuclear cooperation and not to

between two countries. The 123 agreement, now affect the un-safeguarded nuclear activities of either

provides that India could reprocess the imported nuclear party.” Since the agreement is for civil nuclear

fuel for which it will create a new national facility and cooperation for peaceful purposes, it clearly provides that

would work under the India-specific safeguards agreed it will be implemented in such a manner “as not to hinder

between India and IAEA. or otherwise interfere with any other activities involving

There are initial delays and suspicions in implementing the use of nuclear material, equipment, components,

the civil nuclear deals and obvious frustrations. Even the information or technology and military nuclear facilities

Opportunities

Challenges

Perspective


produced, acquired or developed by them independent Of course, the US has been repeating at different levels

of this agreement for their own purposes.” In other words, that the CND is going to be implemented by the new

it tries to make it clear that civil nuclear agreement is one administration as it not only received bipartisan support

for cooperation in civil nuclear energy production and but specifically Senator Obama had also voted for it.

has nothing to do with the military use of nuclear Obama's staff aide, Bruce Reidel and US under secretary

technology by India. of state for political affairs, William Burns recently

reaffirmed this. However, there is a nagging doubt within US is also committed to join India in negotiating with the

the Indian government on the Obama administration's IAEA “an India-specific fuel supply agreement.” The US

full commitment to implement CND in the same spirit in will also support Indian effort “to develop a strategic

which the Bush administration had pursued it. reserve of nuclear fuel to guard against any disruption” of

fuel supply. Further, the agreement also enables India No one can legally object if Obama informally links

during the operation of the 123 agreement, to build up a implementation of certain provisions of the 123

reserve of nuclear fuel taking into consideration of any Agreement, by following American policy preferences on

future disruption of fuel supply. Kashmir or asking India to share American perceptions

on Pakistan's handling of Taliban or cross borders Further, India is reassured that despite all these efforts if “a

Terrorism!disruption of fuel supply to India occurs,” the US will go

an additional mile to help India. The agreement clearly Civil nuclear Deal provides economic strength to Indian

provides that in such an event, the US would work with nuclear weapons programme and general pursuit of

other nuclear states like Russia, United Kingdom and great power status. But the US could return to former

France to see that India will get necessary fuel supply for President Bill Clinton's policy of pressurizing India to sign

the working of nuclear reactors. the NPT or the CTBT thereby slowing down civil nuclear

cooperation!Despite these positive provisions what is evident is: an

effort is being made to reinvent original intent of

Democratic lawmakers involved in Hyde act of 2006. It The likely placing of speed breakers by the US in India has been a well-established convention that Presidentdeveloping nuclear energy sector, however, need not chooses to implement the law according to his discourage India. The US behaviour undoubtedly will understanding of intent of lawmakers. It is on that basis influence other members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. President Bush had promised India that some provisions But, India has already entered into an agreement with of Hyde Act which were not in consonance with the intent Kazakhstan to buy nuclear fuel for Indian reactors. India of Bush-Singh agreement on CND were in fact has also entered into civil nuclear deal agreements with overridden in the 123 Executive Agreement signed by the Russia, France and Canada among others. This is a win-US with India on August 1, 2007. But now no one can win situation for leading nuclear technological powers prevent President Obama if he chooses to go along with and India. NPCIL also ensures that the countries, which Democrats' intent of denying India technology to supply nuclear reactors also contractually, supply nuclear reprocess the spent fuelthat was the intent of the Hyde Act, fuels during the lifetime of reactors provided by them. It but overlooked by President George Bush in 123 should be possible to Indian diplomacy to overcome, if Agreement.Democratic administration in the US tries to use the civil

The US is also trying to pressurize India to speed up, under nuclear deal's logical implementation to subserve its the separation plan, determination of civil nuclear unrelated political or economic goals. reactors and bring them under international inspection.

The author, a former Professor of Politics, Department of Under the India-US CND, separation plan is to be Civics & Politics, University of Bombay, is currently, Hon. implemented in a phased manner by 2014. Though India Director, VPM's Centre for International Studies, Mumbai. knows that only the nuclear plants declared under civilian He has widely lectured and written on India-US Civil category could get imported nuclear fuel, India cannot be Nuclear Deal. His latest book is: India's Policy of No Firstpressurized to implement it before hand. As until signing Use of Nuclear Weapons: Relevance to Peace and of the CND, there was a fusion of strategic and civilian Security in South Asia (Anamika Publishers, New Delhi, activities, material and components and it takes time to 2009).separate.

Conclusions

�

Perspective


The German high-technology, international

group SCHOTT AG has mastered the glass-to-

metal sealing technology for the continued safe

and reliable operation of nuclear power plants.

For India, which has launched a massive

nuclear power generation programme,

SCHOTT's technology for building long-lasting

and maintenance-free Electrical Penetration

Assemblies (EPAs) comes at the right time.

and medical industries as well as in consumer goods such

as glass-ceramic cooktops. However, few are aware that

SCHOTT AG, founded in 1884 and headquartered in

Mainz, Germany, is a technology leader in many other

fields as well. Technical glasses from SCHOTT specially

developed for glass-to-metal seals are used to safely

pack electronic components and transmit digital data at

high speeds via hermetic (Transistor Outlines, 'TOs' and

hybrid or microelectronic) packages and fiber optic

cables. SCHOTT Solar has also been manufacturing

photovoltaic modules for the last seven years. In addition, Electrical penetration assemblies (EPAs) permit electrical the group has more than six hundred scientists and

wirings and instrumentation cables to pass through the engineers developing new glass technologies and

containment structure of a nuclear power plant to provide applications at the Otto Schott Research Center in Mainz,

power, control signals and monitoring for the entire one of the most up-to-date glass research centres

sealed-off reactor. EPAs must hence, under all worldwide.

circumstances, be able to maintain the pressure

boundary integrity of the containment Hermetically sealed housings with glass-to-

structure and prevent steam as well as metal sealed (GTMS) feedthroughs is one of

radioactive materials from escaping into the SCHOTT's key product offerings, a product

environment. As a leading country in the the company has been manufacturing since

1941. Millions of these are used in the nuclear renaissance, there is clear potential

smallest of components, such as the packaging of sensors for SCHOTT's glass-to-metal sealing technology in the

for the automotive or aerospace industries. However,Indian nuclear industry.

these feedthroughs, which range in sizes not much larger The SCHOTT name is well-known around the world

than the head of a pin (1.2 millimeters) to high voltage standing for top-quality optical and specialty glasses in

feedthroughs with diameters of up to 600 millimeters, are complex and demanding applications such as aerospace

also used in large-scale applications, such as submerged

pumps in liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers.

The functional principle is always the same: multiple

electrical lines that supply power, controls, or transmit

data must run through a hermetically sealed barrier into

the interior of an insulated space containing sensitive

electronics. According to Dr. Oliver Fritz, Technical

Manager for Large Scale Feedthroughs at SCHOTT

Electronic Packaging in Landshut, Germany, the “secret”

behind SCHOTT's GTMS technology lies on a technique

known as compression sealing. “The glass isolator and

the metal conductor are placed inside stainless steel

housing and then heated up so that all of the elements

melt together. As the assembly cools down, the glass

solidifies and the stainless steel housing contracts to a

Profile

SCHOTT Offers High-Tech EPAs to Indian Nuclear Plants


greater degree than the glass. Due to the differences in chemical substances have been detected. This is only

the coefficients of thermal expansion of the materials possible because glass, unlike organic materials, does

used, the glass isolators are subjected to compression not degrade as it ages. Hence, its service life is practically

and a hermetic joint is created.” The seal is so perfect that infinite. Since SCHOTT's GTMS EPAs is non-aging and

components packed in this manner work even in the hot call for little, if any maintenance at all, the plants' lifecycle

oil bath of an engine, in ”on-demand” explosive costs are also low. This high safety and performance environments such as air bag igniters as well as in LNG standard at minimal “costs” advantage is clearly vessels which must routinely cycle between temperature appreciated as can be observed from the use of GTMSand pressure extremes. EPAs in equally demanding applications like nuclear

reactors on ships and submarines. A nuclear power plant is an exceptionally demanding

environment for any component operating in it. Electrical Glass-to-metal sealed EPAs are very compact because penetration assemblies (EPA),which create a connection the cables or contact pins can be packed very for the equipment within the reactor with the tightly. SCHOTT makes round feedthroughs outs ide env i ronment th rough the in a modular design with a cross-section of containment barrier, must like the the contacts of up to 1,000 square containment walls of the reactor be able to millimeters for power penetrations or up to withstand seismic shock, high pressures and 118 lines for control and instrumentation and flange temperatures as well as radiation, and in the case of an

shaped penetrations with over 500 contacts. Depending accident prevent steam, pressure and radioactive

on the model, these feedthroughs are suitable for materials from leaking out of the containment structure.

voltages of up to 13,000 volts and current up to 1,200 Hence, EPAs are a critical safety component of a nuclear

amperes; short-circuit currents up to 120,000 amperes reactor and calls for a very high standard of quality and

will not damage the seal. Feedthroughs for hermetically reliability. For more than 40 years, SCHOTT has

glass-sealed fiber optic lines for optical data transmission accumulated the experience of producing more than

are also available on request. Furthermore, the plug-in5,000 pieces of glass-to-metal sealed EPAs for nuclear

connectors make installation very easy.power plants. Installed in plants worldwide, these EPAs

With the latest nuclear reactor designs extended to 60 are still performing optimally despite no maintenance no

deterioration, radioactive leaks, or leaks of reactive years, GTMS technology is clearly the way to go. This is

Profile


why some of the older reactors, which has had no fiscal year 2007/2008, SCHOTT AG recorded sales of

maintenance work carried out on the GTMS €2.23 billion, of which, international sales (sales outside

feedthroughs, have had their term of service extended Germany) accounted for 74 percent. SCHOTT is no

from 40 to 60 years. In fact, the operators of 22 nuclear stranger to India, having set up its first sales office in the

power plants in 7 countries have also replaced their country in 1998. In fact, India has always been a focus conventional EPAs with GTMS EPAs from SCHOTT. country for the Group. During that same year, the group

established its second largest pharmaceutical tubing SCHOTT's g lass - to -metal feedthroughs are factory in Vadodara. SCHOTT further intensified its manufactured according to the German KTA 3403 and presence in the country more recently with the formation 1401 standards and are also compliant with the current of SCHOTT KAISHA, a joint venture company with KaishaIEEE 317 standard. The company also employs Manufacturers Private Limited.continuous quality control procedures in its production

facility to ensure that its GTMS EPAs consistently meet As a business unit of the international technology group stringent requirements. This includes subjecting the EPAs

SCHOTT, Electronic Packaging (EP) is a leading to tests involving high electrical voltages and currents, as

manufacturer of housings and other components for the well as sudden extreme changes in pressure and

reliable, long-term protection for sensitive electronics. temperature that are even more severe than anything that

The core technologies are glass-to-metal and ceramic-actually occurs at a nuclear power plant. The centerpiece

to-metal sealing, thermal sensing components as well as of quality control for SCHOTT is hermeticity testing with a

a variety of cutting edge specialty glass competences. mass spectrometer that can detect extremely minute leaks

SCHOTT EP draws on 125 years of experience in the of test gas through the seal.

development, production and reliable supply As GTMS penetrations are resistant to high of specialized solutions for its customers pressures of up to 1,000 bars and worldwide. With 1,500 employees at five temperatures of 200°C to +240°C, they are product ion locat ions and several especially well-suited for the future reactor competence centers around the world, local designs such as the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), customer support and co-developments for individual Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR), the packaging solutions are at the heart of the business, Westinghouse AP1000 design as well as the High

serving the world's leading manufacturers in the Temperature Reactors (HTR) both Pebble Bed and

automotive, data- and telecommunication, sensors and Prismatic Reactor (PBR). These reactors reach higher peak

semiconductors, consumer electronics, dental care, temperatures over longer time periods and their radiation

home appliances, laser as well as security and tracking intensity is also higher. Glass-to-metal seals are hence the

industries.ideal choice for the future generation of nuclear power

SCHOTT is an international technology group that sees plants.

its core purpose as the lasting improvement of living and With the nuclear renaissance in motion, India is playing a

working conditions. To this end, the company has been leading role in the construction of new nuclear power

developing special materials, components and systems plants around the world. To meet the needs of the more

for 125 years. The main areas of focus are the household than one billion people who live in India, the seventh-appliances industry, pharmaceuticals, solar energy,largest country in the world must quell an enormous thirst electronics, optics and the automotive industry. The for energy and nourish its growing industrial base. Experts SCHOTT Group is present in close proximity to its estimate that electricity demand must grow by ten percent customers with production and sales companies in all its a year to keep pace with GDP growth in India. The major markets. The Group's approximately 17,300 country is relying on a mix of renewable and traditional employees generated worldwide sales of approximately energy sources to meet this expected rise in demand. 2.2 billion Euros in the fiscal year 2007/2008. The India is currently investing strongly in expanding its

company's technological and economic expertise is network of nuclear power powers, and some new plants

closely linked with its social and ecological responsibility.are already under construction. As a result, SCHOTT AG

The SCHOTT AG is an affiliate of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftungexpects India to become an increasingly important

market for its glass-to-metal sealed feedthroughs. In the (Foundation). �

Profile


security of Kazakhstan is one of the top The Government of Kazakhstan is

priorities: “If this project goes making every effort on a

a h e a d , t h eproject to place the

i n d i s p e n s a b l e proposed Nuclear

condition is toFuel Bank in the

study and evaluate country. This was

its influence on disclosed by Timur

the environment. Z h a n t i k i n ,

If its influence is Chairman of the

found to be negative, N u c l e a r E n e r g y

the project will not be Committee, Ministry of

implemented. But we Energy & Mineral

don't expect that Resources on 18

[creation of theMay 2009 at an

bank] to entail any i n t e r n a t i o n a l

e c o l o g i c a l con f e r ence on

problems, because Remed ia t ion o f

we are already R a d i o a c t i v e l y

p r o c e s s i n g s i m i l a rContaminated Sites held in

materials. The Ulba Plant, for example, Astana.

has been working with such materials for 50 He said, that the project to place the proposed

years already” he said. Nuclear Fuel Bank in the Kazakhstan territory is

The Director of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle “at the stage of analysis. We are now working out

and Waste Technology (NEFW), Hans Forsstrom, said that technical details and considering the possibilities and

"We have heard that Kazakhstan has been consideringlocation of the Fuel Bank, since at present we have

accommodation of this bank in its territory. As of today,several options. If findings are positive, Kazakhstan will

Kazakhstan has not officially approached IAEA yet. If apply to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Kazakhstan officially makes such an offer, we will acceptwith the official proposal to place the bank on its

it," H. Forsstrom said. territory.”

In April this year, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Zhantikin said that the Kazakh national company

Kazakhstan said that “If a nuclear fuel bank is created, we KazAtomProm and the National Nuclear Center are

would consider hosting it here - in a country which has involved in development and the placement of the Fuel

signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and voluntarilyBank. “Why is Kazakhstan so favoured as a place for

renounced nuclear weapons.”the Nuclear Fuel Bank?” asked Zhantikin. “Because

Kazakhstan has a very positive non-proliferation An international fuel bank under the auspices of the IAEA

record. After all, we have a well-developed nuclear and supported by the US administration, would provide a

industry. There are no direct commercial benefits for global repository which would allow countries to tap into

the country” he added. their reserves to fuel their nuclear plants without the need

to develop their own nuclear enrichment capability.Zhantikin further explained that the environmental �

Efforts to House N-Fuel Bank in

Kazakhstan at 'Analysis Stage'

Initiative


Safeguard


On the occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary of Termination of

Nuclear Tests at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Testing Site (SNTS)

held on 18th June 2009, Kazakhstan President Nursultan

Nazarbaev initiated a proposal to declare 29th August as the

International Day of Renunciation of Weapons of Mass

Destruction. He also made a proposal to work out a new universal

“Treaty on Comprehensive Horizontal and Vertical Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.”

The new initiatives of Kazakhstan have been dictated by its

aspiration for a more secure world, free from nuclear weapons,

and its concern that this process is facing considerable obstacles.

Unfortunately, the global disarmament process has been passing

through a very long period of stagnation. Due to lack of

consensus and absence of political will, the international

community has not been able to move further in deciding the

cardinal questions of disarmament and non-proliferation.

In the first place, this concerns the ineffectiveness of the main tool

of nuclear non-proliferation - the Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Treaty (NPT).

As of today, the NPT is devoid of effective levers to prevent

proliferation of nuclear weapons and emergence of new nuclear

powers de facto. Inequality which is inherent in NPT is leading to

destructive tendencies and a feeling of 'injustice perpetuated by

NPT' in some regions of the world. Those countries which are not

members of the recognized 'nuclear club' are aspiring to acquire

the technology of nuclear weapons and create their own arsenal

of such weapons. They consider this as a guarantee of not only

their own security, but also as an assurance for safeguarding their

foreign policy interests.

Towards A WorldFree FromN-Weapons

CelebratingClosure

Semipalatinsk N-Testing Site

By Marat Tazhin, Secretary, Security Council of KazakhstanMarat Tazhin

Safeguard


month or, possibly, even one year may not be sufficient This has made the present-day world less predictable,

to complete this task. We keep our doors open for a and the problem of use of nuclear weapons has

meaningful and fruitful dialogue with anyonebecome more complex, as it now depends more on

interested in strengthening the regime of non-local players rather than global ones.

proliferation and disarmament.Our country has got the moral right to come out with

Unfortunately, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Bannew initiatives on this highly sensitive matter. The

Treaty (CTBT) has not yet come into force although it peoples of Kazakhstan have faced all the horrors of

had been passed by the UN General Assembly in nuclear weapons. Between 1949 and 1991 a total

September 1996 by majority vote. It is hoped that the number of 456 nuclear tests were carried out at the

example of the new Administration of the United States Semipalatinsk Nuclear Testing Site. These tests caused

which has declared that it is committed to the CTBT diseases and sufferings to several hundred thousands

and is going to place it before the Congress for of fellow citizens and led to contamination of a huge

ratification will be followed by other countries whose territory with radiation.

participation will decide the fate of this Treaty.Kazakhstan has closed down the largest nuclear

Kazakhstan is making significant contribution totesting site and has destroyed the entire military

strengthen the regime of verification within the limits of nuclear infrastructure. By doing so Kazakhstan has set

the CTBT, and it is actively cooperating with its an example of a very high sense of responsibility

Preparatory Committee for setting up of a Global before the present and the future generations of

Monitoring Network. In order to strengthen andmankind which convincingly demonstrates that it is the

develop a system of inspection under the Treatyforeign policy of peace, internal stability, and

Kazakhstan had supported the initiative to carry out in sustainable economic and political development of

September 2008 a wide-ranging Integrated Fieldthe country which are the main components of security

Experiment in the territory of the former Semipalatinsk rather than any nuclear arsenal.

Nuclear Testing Site. Implementation of projects Realizing that there are serious problems in the

connected with CTBT will make it possible to use the implementation of NPT, the President of Kazakhstan

infrastructure available in Semipalatinsk in such a Nursultan Nazarbaev, in his address to 62nd Session

manner so that it more and more acquires the role of of the UN General Assembly in the year 2007, had

an international testing site of peace, 'a neutral belt' for called upon the nuclear powers to move towards a

solving sensitive issues concerning non-proliferation world free from the nuclear weapons, and also to take

of nuclear weapons.measures to ensure effectiveness of NPT and to

strongly regulate non-proliferation of nuclear

weapons. It is necessary to create clear-cut

mechanisms to encourage the countries in possession

of nuclear weapons to act within the framework the

NPT, and to prevent any signatory country to make an

exit from the Treaty. It is necessary that all its

participants should adhere to unconditional fulfillment

of their obligations as embodied in the unity of its three

fundamental components - non-proliferation,

peaceful use of an atomic energy and disarmament.

The initiative for a new universal Treaty on

Comprehensive Horizontal and Vertical Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is not meant to

replace the existing agreements; it is not going to be a

mechanical replacement of NPT by something new as

a matter of principle. We are interested in

strengthening the NPT, to make it really effective, to

overcome its fundamental asymmetry and non-

obligatory character of some of its provisions. One

Safeguard


basic international documents on prevention ofCreation of nuclear-free zones can be one of the ways

nuclear, biological, radiological and chemicalof reducing the threat of a nuclear war. In this direction

weapons. We have been rigorously fulfilling the a Central Asian Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty (CANFZT)

obligations of the UN Security Council Resolutionwas signed in the city of Semipalatinsk on September

No.1540 on non-proliferation of all kinds of weapons8, 2006 which has come into force on March 22,

of mass destruction.2009.

In July 2005 Kazakhstan joined the ProliferationThe CANFZT is a real substantial contribution of the

Security Initiative which is better known as 'Krakowcountries of this region in the direction of achieving the

Initiative'. Kazakhstan is also actively participating ingoals of the NPT, and it also helps to strengthen

the Global Initiative for Struggle against Acts of regional and international security. If we compare the

Nuclear Terrorism which was put forward by theCentral Asian zone with similar zones we will notice

Presidents of Russia and US in July 2006.that it has several characteristic features. In particular,

the Treaty envisages that all the participant countries In 2004 Kazakhstan signed an Additional Protocol. All

must sign an Additional Protocol of the International the nuclear objects of Kazakhstan fall under the

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to affirm that they do not guarantee of IAEA, and all the nuclear activities of

intend to shift nuclear materials meant for peaceful Kazakhstan are being carried out in accordance with

use to military purpose. This affirmation further proves the rules and standards of the IAEA.

that the countries of Central Asia have firmly decided The day when the historical decision to close down the that this region should remain nuclear-free in the nuclear testing site at Semipalatinsk was taken marks future also. This is the first and the only zone fully the beginning of the process of complete liquidation of located in the Northern Hemisphere where nuclear the fourth largest nuclear potential of the world the weapons had been placed in the past. Another special nuclear heritage of the erstwhile Soviet Union. The feature of the Central Asian zone is that it has common date of 29th August has historical significance not only borders with two nuclear powers, i.e. Russia and for Kazakhstan but for the entire mankind too. The fact China, and is very close to India and Pakistan who is that this testing site was closed own not for any both possess nuclear weapons.technical reasons, but consciously, as a practical

Symbolically, the Central Asian Nuclear-Free Zone contribution to reduction of global nuclear threat.

Treaty was signed in Semipalatinsk the place which From the point of view of nuclear disarmament this

has experienced in full measure the evils of nuclear was an unprecedented event of world-wide

weapons.significance.

Today Kazakhstan has become a signatory to all the On 24th April 2009 the UN General Assembly passed

the Resolution “International Cooperation and

Coordination of Activities for the Rehabilitation of

Peoples and Ecology and Economic Development of

the Semipalatinsk Region of Kazakhstan”. It has been

proposed to the member-countries to formally

celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of closing down of

the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Testing Site.

In this connection declaring the 29th August as the

International Day of Renunciation of Nuclear

Weapons within the format of UN may acquire very

special symbolic significance and it may also help to

achieve the goal of the world free from nuclear

weapons.

Kazakhstan hopes to get support for this initiative from

all the friendly countries when it is put forward before

the UN General Assembly. �

Electricity demand in India has been increasing rapidly, capacity, taking forward projects to 43.6 GWe and US$

and the 534 billion kilowatt hours produced in 2002 was 51 billion.

almost double the 1990 output, though still represented A KPMG report in 2007 said that India needed to spend

only 505 kWh per capita for the year. In 2006, 744 billion US$ 120-150 billion on power infrastructure over the

kWh gross was produced, but with huge transmission next five years, including transmission and distribution. It

losses this resulted in only 505 billion kWh consumption. said that distribution losses are currently some 30-40%,

The per capita figure is expected to almost triple by 2020, worth more than $6 billion per year.

with 6.3% annual growth. Coal provides 68% of the The target since about 2004 has been for nuclear power electricity at present, but reserves are limited. Gas is to provide 20 GWe by 2020, but in 2007 the prime provides 8%, hydro 15%.Minister referred to this as "modest" and capable of being

Nuclear power supplied 15.8 billion kWh (2.5%) of "doubled with the opening up of international

India's electricity in 2007 from 3.7 GWe (of 110 GWecooperation." However, it is evident that on the basis of

total) capacity and this will increase steadily as imported indigenous fuel supply only, the 20 GWe target is not

uranium becomes available and new plants come on attainable, or at least not sustainable without uranium

line. Some 300 reactor-years of operation had been imports. However, it is evident that even the 20 GWe

achieved by mid 2009. India's fuel situation, with target will require uranium imports. Late in 2008 NPCIL

shortage of fossil fuels, is driving the nuclear investment projected 22 GWe on line by 2015, and the government

for electricity, and 25% nuclear contribution is foreseen by was talking about having 50 GWe of nuclear power

2050, from one hundred times the 2002 capacity. Almost operating by 2050. Then in June 2009 NPCIL said it

as much investment in the grid system as in power plants is aimed for 63 GWe by 2032, including 40 GWe of PWR

necessary.capacity and 7 GWe of new PHWR capacity, all fuelled by

In 2006 almost US$ 9 billion was committed for power imported uranium. The Atomic Energy Commission

projects, including 9354 MWe of new generating however envisages some 500 GWe nuclear on line by

Report


India a Rising Power on the Global Nuclear Horizon

• India has a flourishing and largely indigenous nuclear power program and expects to

have 20,000 MWe nuclear capacity on line by 2020 and 63,000 MWe by 2032. It

aims to supply 25% of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.

• Because India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons

program, it has been for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant or

materials, which has hampered its development of civil nuclear energy until 2009.

• Due to these trade bans and lack of indigenous uranium, India has uniquely been

developing a nuclear fuel cycle to exploit its reserves of thorium.

• Now, foreign technology and fuel are expected to boost India's nuclear power plans

considerably. All plants will have high indigenous engineering content.

• India has a vision of becoming a world leader in nuclear technology due to its expertise

in fast reactors and thorium fuel cycle.

2060, and has since speculated that the amount might be heavy water production, reactor design and construction,

higher still: 600-700 GWe by 2050, providing half of all to reprocessing and waste management. It has a small

electricity. fast breeder reactor and is building a much larger one. It

is also developing technology to utilise its abundant

resources of thorium as a nuclear fuel.

Nuclear power for civil use is well established in India. Its The Atomic Energy Establishment was set up at Trombay,civil nuclear strategy has been directed towards complete near Mumbai, in 1957 and renamed as Bhabha Atomic independence in the nuclear fuel cycle, necessary Research Centre (BARC) ten years later. Plans for building because it is excluded from the 1970 Nuclear Non- the first Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) were Proliferation Treaty (NPT) due to it acquiring nuclear finalised in 1964, and this prototype - Rawatbhata-1,weapons capability after 1970. (Those five countries which had Canada's Douglas Point reactor as a reference doing so before 1970 were accorded the status of unit, was built as a collaborative venture between Atomic Nuclear Weapons States under the NPT.) Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) and NPCIL. It started up in

1972 and was duplicated Subsequent indigenous PHWR As a result, India's nuclear power program has proceeded development has been based on these units.largely without fuel or technological assistance from other

countries (but see later section). Its power reactors to the The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is mid 1990s had some of the world's lowest capacity responsible for design, construction, commissioning and factors, reflecting the technical difficulties of the country's operation of thermal nuclear power plants.isolation, but rose impressively from 60% in 1995 to 85%

It has 15 small and two mid-sized nuclear power reactors in 2001-02.in commercial operation, six under construction -

India's nuclear energy self-sufficiency extended from including two large ones and a fast breeder reactor, and uranium exploration and mining through fuel fabrication, more planned.

Nuclear power industry development

Report


Reactor State Type MWe Commercial Safeguards status

net, each operation

Tarapur 1 & 2 Maharashtra BWR 150 1969 item-specific

Kaiga 1 & 2 Karnataka PHWR 202 1999-2000

Kaiga 3 Karnataka PHWR 202 2007

Kakrapar 1 & 2 Gujarat PHWR 202 1993-95 by 2012 under new

agreement

Kalpakkam

1 & 2 (MAPS) Tamil Nadu PHWR 202 1984-86

Narora 1 & 2 Uttar Pradesh PHWR 202 1991-92 by 2014 under new

agreement

Rawatbhata 1 Rajasthan PHWR 90 1973 item-specific

Rawatbhata 2 Rajasthan PHWR 187 1981 item-specific

Rawatbhata 3 & 4 Rajasthan PHWR 202 1999-2000 by 2010 under new

agreement

Tarapur 3 & 4 Maharashtra PHWR 490 2006, 05

Total (17) 3779 Mwe

Kalpakkam also known as Madras/MAPSRawatbhata also known as Rajasthan/RAPSKakrapar = KAPS, Narora = NAPSdates are for start of commercial operation.

India's operating nuclear power reactors:

extended to 2033/36.

The new series of 540 MWe (gross, 490 MWe net)

nuclear reactors are developed indigenously from the

220 MWe (gross) model PHWR. The Tarapur 3&4 units

were built by NPCIL.

The first - Tarapur 4 - started up in March 2005, was

connected to the grid in June and started commercial

operation in September. Tarapur-4's criticality came five

The two Tarapur 150 MWe Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) years after pouring first concrete and seven months

built by GE on a turnkey contract before the advent of the ahead of schedule. Its twin - unit 3 - was about a year

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty were originally 200 behind it and criticality was achieved in May 2006, with

MWe. They were down-rated due to recurrent problems grid connection in June and commercial operation in

but have run well since. They have been using imported August, five months ahead of schedule.

enriched uranium and are under International Atomic Russia is supplying the country's first large nuclear power

Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. However, late in 2004 plant, comprising two VVER-1000 (V-392) reactors,

Russia deferred to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and under a Russian-financed US$ 3 billion contract. The

declined to supply further uranium for them. They AES-92 units at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu state are

underwent six months refurbishment over 2005-06, and being built by NPCIL and will be commissioned and

in March 2006 Russia agreed to resume fuel supply. In operated by NPCIL under IAEA safeguards. The turbines

December 2008 a $700 million contract with Rosatomare made by Leningrad Metal Works. Unlike other

was announced for continued uranium supply to them.Atomstroyexport projects such as in Iran there have been

The two small Canadian (Candu) PHWRs at Rawatbhata only about 80 Russian supervisory staff on the job. Russia

started up in 1972 & 1980, and are also under will supply all the enriched fuel, though India will

safeguards. Rawatbhata-1 was down-rated early in its life reprocess it and keep the plutonium. The first unit was due

and has operated very little since 2002 due to ongoing to start supplying power in March 2008 and go into

problems and has been shut down since 2004 as the commercial operation late in 2008, but this schedule has

government considers its future. slipped by about two years. The second unit is about 6-8

months behind it.The 220 MWe PHWRs (202 MWe net) were indigenously

designed and constructed by NPCIL, based on a Under plans for the India-specific safeguards to be

Canadian design. administered by the IAEA in relation to the civil-military

separation plan, eight further reactors will be The Kalpakkam (MAPS) reactors were refurbished in

safeguarded (beyond Tarapur 1&2, Rawatbhata 1&2, 2002-03 and 2004-05 and their capacity restored to

and Kudankulam 1&2): Rawatbhata 3&4 by 2010, 220 MWe gross (from 170). Much of the core of

Rawatbhata 5&6 by 2008, Kakrapar 1&2 by 2012 and each reactor was replaced, and the lifespans

Narora 1&2 by 2014.

More recent reactor developments

Report


Reactor Type MWe net, Project Commercial Safeguardseach control operation due status

Kaiga 4 PHWR 202 MWe NPCIL 12/2009Rawatbhata 5 & 6 PHWR 202 MWe NPCIL 7/2009, 10/2009 by 2008 under

new agreementKudankulam 1 & 2 PWR (VVER) 950 MWe NPCIL 6/2010, 12/2010 item-specificKalpakkam PFBR FBR 470 MWe Bhavini 2011 -Total (6) 2976 Mwe

Rawatbhata also known as Rajasthan/RAPS dates are for start of commercial operation.

India's nuclear power reactors under construction:

Kaiga 3 started up in February, was connected to the

grid in April and went into commercial operation in

May 2007. Unit 4 was scheduled about six months

behind it, but it and RAPP-5 were to load fuel in late

2007 and are about a year behind original schedule

due to shortage of uranium. Though construction is signed for Russia to build four more there, as well as complete, start up of RAPP-5 is now anticipated in others elsewhere in India. The new units will be the larger 2009.1200 MWe AES-2006 versions of the first two.

In mid 2008 Indian nuclear power plants were running at Between 2010 and 2020, further construction is expected about half of capacity due to a chronic shortage of fuel. to take total gross capacity to 21,180 MWe. The nuclear The situation was expected to persist for several years if capacity target is part of national energy policy. This the civil nuclear agreement faltered, though some easing planned increment includes those set out in the Tablein 2008 was likely due to the new Turamdih mill in below including the initial 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Jharkhand state coming on line (the mine there is already Water Reactor (AHWR).operating). Political opposition has delayed new mines in

Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh. In 2005 four sites were approved for eight new reactors.

Two of the sites - Kakrapar and Rawatbhata, would have A 500 MWe prototype fast breeder reactor (FBR) is under 700 MWe indigenous PHWR units, Kudankulam would construction at Kalpakkam by BHAVINI, a government have imported 1000 or 1200 MWe light water reactors enterprise set up to focus on FBRs. It is expected to start up alongside the two being built there by Russia, and the in 2010 and produce power in 2011. Four further oxide-fourth site was greenfield for two 1000 MWe LWR units - fuel fast reactors are envisaged but slightly redesigned by Jaitapur (Jaithalpur) in the Ratnagiri district of the Indira Gandhi Centre to reduce capital cost. One pair Maharashtra state, on the west coast. The plan has since will be at Kalpakkam, two more elsewhere. (See also expanded to six 1600 MWe EPR units here. Thorium cycle section below.)

NPCIL had exploratory meetings and technical In contrast to the situation in the 1990s, most reactors discussions with three major reactor suppliers - Areva of under construction are on schedule (apart from fuel France, GE-Hitachi and Westinghouse Electric shortages 2007-09), and the first two - Tarapur 3 & 4 Corporation of the USA for supply of reactors for these were slightly increased in capacity. These and future projects and for new units at Kaiga. These resulted in planned ones were 450 (now 490) MWe versions of the more formal agreements with each reactor supplier early 202 MWe domestic products. Beyond them and the last in 2009, as mentioned below.three 202 MWe units, future units will be nominal 700

MWe. In April 2007 the government gave approval for

construction of the first four of these eight units, utilising The government envisages setting up about ten PHWRs of indigenous technology.700 MWe capacity to about 2023, fuelled by indigenous

uranium, as stage 1 of its nuclear program. Stage 2 - four In April 2007 the government gave approval for the first 500 MWe FBRs - will be concurrent. four of these eight units (below), using indigenous

technology, probably starting construction in 2009. In

late 2008 NPCIL announced that as part of the Eleventh

Five Year Plan (2007-12), it would start site work for 12

reactors including the rest of the eight PHWRs of 700 Following the Nuclear Suppliers' Group agreement which MWe each, three or four fast breeder reactors and one was achieved in September 2008, the scope for supply of 300 MWe advanced heavy water reactor in 2009. NPCIL both reactors and fuel from suppliers in other countries said that "India is now focusing on capacity addition opened up.through indigenisation" with progressively higher local

The Russian PWR types were apart from India's three- content for imported designs, up to 80%. Looking further stage plan for nuclear power and were simply to increase ahead its augmentation plan included construction of generating capacity more rapidly. Now there are plans for 25-30 light water reactors of at least 1000 MWe by eight 1000 MWe units at the Kudankulam site, and in 2030.January 2007 a memorandum of understanding was

Nuclear industry developments beyond the

trade restrictions

Report


Longer term, the AEC envisages its fast reactor program with six of Areva's EPR reactors in view, as is further

being 30 to 40 times bigger than the PHWR program, development at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu for two more

and initially at least, largely in the military sphere until its pairs of Russian VVER units. The other coastal sites for

"synchronised working" with the reprocessing plant is imported light water reactors are expected to be

proven on an 18-24 month cycle. This will be linked with Saurashtra in Gujarat, and also Kovvada in Andhra

up to 40,000 MWe of light water reactor capacity, the Pradesh and Haripur in West Bengal. DAE has also been

used fuel feeding ten times that fast breeder capacity, thus examining these.

"deriving much larger benefit out of the external NPCIL is evaluating a site for up to 6000 MWe of PWR

acquisition in terms of light water reactors and their nuclear capacity at Pati Sonapur in Orissa state. Major

associated fuel". This 40 GWe of imported LWR multiplied industrial developments are planned in that area and

to 400 GWe via FBR would complement 200-250 GWeOrissa was the first Indian state to privatise electricity

based on the indigenous program of PHWR-FBR-AHWR.generation and transmission. State demand is expected

Thus AEC is "talking about 500 to 600 GWe nuclear over to reach 20 billion kWh/yr by 2010.

the next 50 years or so" in India, plus export opportunities. NPCIL is also reported to be planning construction of a

The AEC also said that India now has "a significant 1600 MWe plant in the northern state of Haryana, one of

technological capability in PWRs and NPCIL has worked the country's most industrialized, by 2012. The state has a

out an Indian PWR design" which will be unveiled soon - demand of 8900 MWe, but currently generates less than

perhaps 2009.2000 MWe and imports 4000 MWe. The $2.5 billion

In line with past practice such as at Rawatbhata in plant would be sited at the village of Kumaharia, in

Rajasthan, NPCIL intends to set up further "Nuclear Fatehabad district and paid for by the state government or

Parks", each with a capacity for up to eight new- the Haryana Power Generation Corp. In December 2008

generation reactors of 1,000 MWe, six reactors of 1600 Haryana's chief minister said that the AEC had

MWe or simply 10,000 MWe at a single location. already approved the state's proposal to build a 2800

Preliminary work at Jaitapur in Maharashtra is likely soon MWe nuclear power plant at Kumaharia, using

Report


Power reactors planned or firmly proposed

For WNA reactor table: first 23 units 'planned', next (estimated) 15 'proposed'.

Reactor State Type MWe Project Start Startnet, each control construct operation

Kakrapar 3 & 4 Gujarat PHWR 640 NPCIL 2009? 2012Rawatbhata 7 & 8 Rajasthan PHWR 640 NPCIL 2009? 2012Kudankulam 3 & 4 Tamil Nadu PWR - VVER 1200 NPCIL 2010?Jaitapur 1 & 2 Maharashtra PWR - EPR 1600 NPCIL by 2012 2017-18 Kaiga 5 & 6 Karnataka PWR 1000/1500 NPCIL by 2012Kudankulam 5 & 6 Tamil Nadu PWR - VVER 1200 NPCIL 2012?? PWR x 2 1000 NTPC by 2012 2014 Jaitapur 3 & 4 Maharashtra PWR - EPR 1600 NPCIL by 2012? PHWR x 4 640 NPCIL by 2012? FBR x 2 470 Bhavini 2020? AHWR 300 NPCIL by 2012 2020subtotal 23 units 21,500 MWeJaitapur 5 & 6 Maharashtra PWR - EPR 1600 NPCILPati Sonapur Orissa PWR 6000 MWeKumaharia Haryana PWR 2800 MWeSaurashtra Gujarat PWRPulivendula Andhre Pradesh PWR? 2000 NPCIL 51%,

AP Genco 49%

Kovvada Andhra Pradesh PWRHaripur West Bengal PWR

imported technology. cooperation agreement.

India's largest power company, National Thermal Power The government has announced that it intends to amend

Corporation (NTPC) in 2007 proposed building a 2000 the law to allow private companies to be involved in

MWe nuclear power plant to be in operation by 2017. It nuclear power generation and possibly other aspects of

would be the utility's first nuclear plant and also the first the fuel cycle, but without direct foreign investment. In

conventional nuclear plant not built by the government- anticipation of this, Reliance Power Ltd, GVK Power &

owned NPCIL. This proposal has now become a joint Infrastructure Ltd and GMR Energy Ltd are reported to be

venture with NPCIL holding 51%, and possibly extending in discussion with overseas nuclear vendors including

to multiple projects utilising imported technology. NTPC Areva, GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse and Atomstroyexport.

says it aims by 2014 to have demonstrated progress in NTPC is reported to be establishing a joint venture with

"setting up nuclear power generation capacity", and that NPCIL and BHEL to sell India's largely indigenous 220

the initial "planned nuclear portfolio of 2000 MWe by MWe heavy water power reactor units abroad, possibly in

2017" may be greater. NTPC, now 89.5% government-contra deals involving uranium supply from countries

owned, is planning to increase its total installed capacity such as Namibia and Mongolia.

from 30 to 50 GWe by 2012 (72% of it coal) and 75 GWeIn September 2009 the AEC announced a version of its by 2017. It is also forming joint ventures in heavy planned Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) engineering.designed for export.

In February 2009 Areva signed a memorandum of In August and September 2009 the AEC reaffirmed its understanding with NPCIL to build two, and later four commitment to the thorium fuel cycle, particularly more, EPR units at Jaitapur. This followed the government thorium-based FBRs, to make the country a technological signing a nuclear cooperation agreement with France in leader.September 2008. In July 2009 Areva submitted a bid to

NPCIL to build the first two EPR units, with a view to

commissioning in 2017 and 2018.

India's largest engineering group, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) In March 2009 GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy signed announced in July 2008 that it was preparing to venture agreements with NPCIL and Bharat Heavy Electricals into international markets for supply of heavy engineering (BHEL) to begin planning to build a multi-unit power plant components for nuclear reactors. It plans to form a 20 using 1350 MWe Advanced Boiling Water Reactorsbillion rupee (US$ 463 million) venture with NPCIL for (ABWR), with discussion continuing regarding the site. In domestic and export nuclear forgings. In the context of May 2009 L&T was brought into the picture.India's trade isolation over three decades L&T has

In May 2009 Westinghouse signed a memorandum of produced heavy components for 17 of India's pressurized understanding with NPCIL regarding deployment of its heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and has also secured AP1000 reactors, using local components (probably contracts for 80% of the components for the fast breeder from L&T). reactor at Kalpakkam. It is qualified by the American

Society of Mechanical Engineers to fabricate nuclear-In June 2009 NPCIL said that a further four Russian VVER grade pressure vessels and core support structures, reactors are planned at another site, after the six at achieving this internationally recognised quality standard Kudankulam.in 2007. It is one of about ten major nuclear-qualified

After a break of three decades, Atomic Energy of Canada heavy engineering enterprises worldwide.Ltd (AECL) is keen to resume technical cooperation,

Early in 2009, L&T signed four agreements with foreign especially in relation to servicing India's PHWRs. There nuclear power reactor vendors. The first, with have been preliminary discussions regarding the sale of Westinghouse, sets up L&T to produce component an ACR-1000, but this will depend on ratification of a modules for Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor. The second bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. agreement was with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL)

In August 2009 NPCIL signed agreements with Korea "to develop a competitive cost/scope model for the ACR-Electric Power Co (KEPCO) to study the prospects for 1000." In April it signed an agreement with building Korean APR-1400 reactors in India. This Atomstroyexport primarily focused on components for the also will depend on establishing a bilateral nuclear next four VVER reactors at Kudankulam, but extending

Heavy engineering & India's L&T

Report


beyond that to other Russian VVER plants in India and

internationally. Then in May it signed an agreement with

GE Hitachi to produce major components for ABWRs -

the two companies hope to utilize indigenous Indian

capabilities for the complete construction of nuclear

power plants including the supply of reactor equipment

and systems, valves, electrical and instrumentation

products for ABWR plants to be built in India. L&T "will

collaborate with GEH to engineer, manufacture,

construct and provide certain construction management

services" for the ABWR project.

Following the 2008 removal of trade restrictions, Indian

companies led by Reliance Power (RPower), NPCIL, and

BHEL said that they plan to invest over US$ 50 billion in In 2005 and 2006 plans were announced to invest the next five years to expand their manufacturing base in almost US$ 700 million to open further mines in the nuclear energy sector. BHEL plans to spend $7.5 Jharkand at Banduhurang, Bagjata and Mohuldih; in billion in two years building plants to supply components Meghalaya at Domiasiat-Mawthabah (with a mill) and in for reactors of 1,600 MWe. It also plans to set up a 50-50 Andhra Pradesh at Lambapur-Peddagattu (with mill 50km venture with NPCIL that will supply turbines for nuclear away at Seripally), both in Nalgonda district.plants of 700 MWe, 1,000 MWe and 1,600 MWe and

In Jharkand, Banduhurang is India's first open cut mine will seek overseas partners to provide technology for and was commissioned in 2007. Bagjata is underground these enterprises. In July it announced that it was close to and was opened in December 2008, though there had finalising a European partner to take 30-35% of this joint been earlier small operations 1986-91. The Mohuldih venture. Another joint venture is with NPCIL and a foreign underground mine is expected to operate from 2010. A partner to make steam generators for 1000 - 1600 MWenew mill at Turamdih in Jharkhand, with 3000 t/day plants.capacity, was commissioned in 2008.

Areva signed an agreement with Bharat Forge in January In Andhra Pradesh the Lambapur-Peddagattu project in 2009 to set up a joint venture in casting and forging Nalgonda district has environmental clearance for one nuclear components for both export and the domestic open cut and three small underground mines but faces market, by 2012. BHEL expects to join this, and the UK's local opposition. In August 2007 the government Sheffield Forgemasters will be a technical partner. The approved a new US$ 270 million underground mine and partners have short-listed Dahej in Gujarat, and mill at Tummalapalle near Pulivendula in KadapaKrishnapatnam and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh(Cuddapa) district, for commissioning in 2010. as possible sites.

In Meghalaya, close to the Bangladesh border, the

Domiasiat-Mawthabah mine project (also called

Nongbah-Jynrin) is in a high rainfall area and also faces India's uranium resources are modest, with 54,000 longstanding local opposition. UCIL does not yet have tonnes U as reasonably assured resources and 23,500 approval from the state government for the open cut mine tonnes as estimated additional resources in situ. at Kylleng-Pyndeng-Shahiong, though pre-projectAccordingly, from 2009 India is expecting to import an development has been authorised. However, federal increasing proportion of its uranium fuel needs.environmental approval in December 2007 for a

Mining and processing of uranium is carried out by proposed uranium mine and processing plant at Kylleng-

Uranium Corporation of India Ltd, a subsidiary of the Pyndeng-Shahiong in the West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), at Jaduguda and and the Nongstin mine has been reported, along with

Bhatin (since 1967), Narwapahar (since 1995) and opposition to other development in the West Khasi Hills,

Turamdih (since 2002) - all in Jharkhand near Calcutta. including at Domiasiat and Wakhyn, which have

All are underground, the last two being modern. A estimated resources of 9500 tU and 4000 tU respectively.

common mill is located near Jaduguda, and processes The status and geography of all these is not known.

2090 tonnes per day of ore.

Uranium resources

Report


However, India has reserves of 290,000 tonnes of In September 2009 India signed uranium supply and

thorium - about one quarter of the world total, and these nuclear cooperation agreements with Namibia and

are intended to fuel its nuclear power program longer- Mongolia.

term (see below).

By December 2008, Russia's Rosatom and Areva from DAE's Nuclear Fuel Complex at Hyderabad undertakes France had contracted to supply uranium for power refining and conversion of uranium, which is received as generation, while Kazakhstan, Brazil and South Africa magnesium diuranate (yellowcake) and refined. The were preparing to do so. The Russian agreement was to main 400 t/yr plant fabricates PHWR fuel (which is provide fuel for PHWRs as well as the two small Tarapurunenriched). A small (25 t/yr) fabrication plant makes fuel reactors, the Areva agreement was to supply 300 tU. In for the Tarapur BWRs from imported enriched (2.66% U-February 2009 the actual Russian contract was signed 235) uranium. Depleted uranium oxide fuel pellets (from with TVEL to supply 2000 tonnes of natural uranium fuel reprocessed uranium) and thorium oxide pellets are also pellets for PHWRs over ten years, costing $780 million, made for PHWR fuel bundles. Mixed carbide fuel for FBTR and 60 tonnes of low-enriched fuel pellets for the Tarapurwas first fabricated by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre reactors. The Areva shipment arrived in June 2009. (BARC) in 1979.RAPS-2 became the first PHWR to be fuelled with

imported uranium. Heavy water is supplied by DAE's Heavy Water Board, and

the seven plants are working at capacity due to the current In January 2009 NPCIL signed a memorandum of building program.understanding with Kazatomprom for supply of uranium

to India and a feasibility study on building Indian PHWR A very small enrichment plant - insufficient even for the reactors in Kazakhstan. NPCIL said that it represented "a Tarapur reactors - is operated by DAE's Rare Materials mutual commitment to begin thorough discussions on Plant at Ratnahalli near Mysore. Some centrifuge R&D is long-term strategic relationship." undertaken by BARC.

Uranium fuel cycle

Report


State, district Mine Mill Operating from tU per year

Jharkhand Jaduguda Jaduguda 1967 175 tota

(mine) from mill

1968 (mill)

Bhatin Jaduguda 1967

Narwapahar Jaduguda 1995

Bagjata Jaduguda 2008

Turamdih Turamdih 2003 (mine) 190 total

2008 (mill) from mill

Banduhurang Turamdih 2007

Mohuldih Turamdih 2011

Meghalaya Kylleng- Mawthabah 2012 340

Pyndengsohiong

(Domiasiat),

Wakhyn,

Mawthabah

Andhra Pradesh, Lambapur- Seripally 2012 130

Nalgonda Peddagattu

Andhra Pradesh, Tummalapalle Tummalapalle 2010 220

Kadapa

India's uranium mines and mills - existing and announced

first stage of this employs the PHWRs fuelled by natural

uranium, and light water reactors, to produce plutonium.

Stage 2 uses fast neutron reactors burning the plutonium

to breed U-233 from thorium. The blanket around the

core will have uranium as well as thorium, so that further

plutonium (ideally high-fissile Pu) is produced as well as

the U-233.

Then in stage 3, Advanced Heavy Water Reactors

(AHWRs) burn the U-233 from stage 2 and this

plutonium with thorium, getting about two thirds of their

power from the thorium.

In 2002 the regulatory authority issued approval to start

construction of a 500 MWe prototype fast breeder

reactor at Kalpakkam and this is now under construction

by BHAVINI. The unit is expected to be operating in

2011, fuelled with uranium-plutonium oxide (the

reactor-grade Pu being from its existing PHWRs). It will Reprocessing: Used fuel from the civil PHWRs is have a blanket with thorium and uranium to breed fissile reprocessed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) U-233 and plutonium respectively. This will take India's at Trombay, Tarapur and Kalpakkam to extract reactor-ambitious thorium program to stage 2, and set the scene grade plutonium for use in the fast breeder reactors. for eventual full utilisation of the country's abundant Small plants at each site were supplemented by a new thorium to fuel reactors. Four more such fast reactors Kalpakkam plant of some 100 t/yr commissioned in have been announced for construction by 2020.1998, and this is being extended to reprocess FBTR

carbide fuel. Apart from this all reprocessing uses the Initial FBRs will be have mixed oxide fuel but these will be Purex process. Further capacity is being built at Tarapur followed by metallic-fuelled ones to enable shorter and Kalpakkam, to come on line by about 2010. doubling time.

In 2003 a facility was commissioned at Kalpakkam to So far about one tonne of thorium oxide fuel has been reprocess mixed carbide fuel using an advanced Purex irradiated experimentally in PHWR reactors and has process. Future FBRs will also have these facilities co- reprocessed and some of this has been reprocessed, located. according to BARC. A reprocessing centre for thorium

fuels is being set up at Kalpakkam.The PFBR and the next four FBRs to be commissioned by

2020 will use oxide fuel. After that it is expected that metal Design is largely complete for the first 300 MWe AHWR, fuel with higher breeding capability will be introduced intended to be built in the 11th plan period to 2012, and burn-up is intended to increase from 100 to 200 though no site has yet been announced. It will have GWd/t. vertical pressure tubes in which the light water coolant

under high pressure will boil, circulation being by To close the FBR fuel cycle a fast reactor fuel cycle facility convection. A large heat sink - "Gravity-driven water pool" is planned, with construction to begin in 2008 and - with 7000 cubic metres of water is near the top of the operation to coincide with the need to reprocess the first reactor building. In April 2008 an AHWR critical facility PFBR fuel.was commissioned at BARC “to conduct a wide range of

Under plans for the India-specific safeguards to be experiments, to help validate the reactor physics of the administered by the IAEA in relation to the civil-military AHWR through computer codes and in generating separation plan several fuel fabrication facilities will nuclear data about materials, such as thorium-uranium come under safeguards. 233 based fuel, which have not been extensively used in

the past.” It has all the components of the AHWR's core

including fuel and moderator, and can be operated in The long-term goal of India's nuclear program has been different modes with various kinds of fuel in different to develop an advanced heavy-water thorium cycle. The configurations.

Thorium fuel cycle development

Report


overseas sales, and the AEC says that "the reactor is In 2009 the AEC announced some features of the 300

manageable with modest industrial infrastructure within MWe AHWR: It is mainly a thorium-fuelled reactor with

the reach of developing countries".several advanced passive safety features to enable

meeting next generation safety requirements such as

three days grace period for operator response,

elimination of the need for exclusion zone beyond the Radioactive wastes from the nuclear reactors and plant boundary, 100-year design life, and high level of reprocessing plants are treated and stored at each site. fault tolerance. The advanced safety characteristics have Waste immobilisation plants are in operation at Tarapurbeen verified in a series of experiments carried out in full- and Trombay and another is being constructed at scale test facilities. Also, per unit of energy produced, the Kalpakkam. Research on final disposal of high-level and amount of long-lived minor actinides generated is nearly long-lived wastes in a geological repository is in progress half of that produced in current generation Light Water at BARC.Reactors. Importantly, a high level of radioactivity in the

fissile and fertile materials recovered from the used fuel of

AHWR, and their isotopic composition, preclude the use The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was established in

of these materials for nuclear weapons. 1948 under the Atomic Energy Act as a policy body. Then

in 1954 the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was set At the same time the AEC announced an LEU version of

up to encompass research, technology development and the AHWR. This will use low-enriched uranium plus

commercial reactor operation. The current Atomic thorium as a fuel, dispensing with the plutonium input.

Energy Act is 1962, and it permits only government-About 39% of the power will come from thorium (via in

owned enterprises to be involved in nuclear power.situ conversion to U-233, cf two thirds in AHWR), and

burn-up will be 64 GWd/t. Uranium enrichment level will The DAE includes NPCIL, Uranium Corporation of India

be 19.75%, giving 4.21% average fissile content of the U-(mining and processing), Electronics Corporation of India

Th fuel. While designed for closed fuel cycle, this is not Ltd (reactor control and instrumentation) and BHAVIN*

required. Plutonium production will be less than in light (for setting up fast reactors). The government also

water reactors, and the fissile proportion will be less and controls the Heavy Water Board for production of heavy

the Pu-238 portion three times as high, giving inherent water and the Nuclear Fuel Complex for fuel and

proliferation resistance. The design is intended for component manufacture.

* Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was formed

in 1983 and comes under the AEC but is independent of

DAE. It is responsible for the regulation and licensing of

all nuclear facilities, and their safety and carries authority

conferred by the Atomic Energy Act for radiation safety

and by the Factories Act for industrial safety in nuclear

plants.

NPCIL is an active participant in the programmes of the

World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

An early AEC decision was to set up the Bhabha Atomic

Research Centre (BARC) at Trombay near Mumbai. A

series of 'research' reactors and critical facilities was built

here: APSARA (1 MW, operating from 1956) was the first

research reactor in Asia, Cirus (40 MW, 1960) and

Dhruva (100 MW, 1985) followed it along with fuel cycle

facilities. The Cirus and Dhruva units are assumed to be

for military purposes, as is the plutonium plant

Radioactive Waste Management

Regulation and safety

Research & Development

Report


As part of developing higher-burnup fuel for PHWRs

mixed oxide (MOX) fuel is being used experimentally in

FBTR, which is now operating with a hybrid core of mixed

carbide and mixed oxide fuel (the high-Pu MOX forming

20% of the core).

A Compact High-Temperature Reactor (CHTR) is being

designed to have long (15 year) core life and employ

liquid metal (Pb-Bi) coolant. There are also designs for

HTRs up to 600 MWt for hydrogen production and a 5

MWt multi-purpose nuclear power pack.commissioned in 1965.

The Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology was BARC is also responsible for the transition to thorium- separated from BARC in 1989 and is responsible for based systems and in particular is developing the 300 radioisotope production. The research reactors APSARA, MWe AHWR as a technology demonstration project. This CIRUS and Dhruva are used, along with RAPS for cobalt-will be a vertical pressure tube design with heavy water 60.moderator, boiling light water cooling with passive safety

BARC has used nuclear techniques to develop 37 design and thorium-plutonium based fuel. A large critical

genetically-modified crop varieties for commercial facility to validate the reactor physics of the AHWR core

cultivation. A total of 15 sterilising facilities, particularly has been commissioned at BARC.

for preserving food, are now operational with more under A series of three Purnima research reactors have explored construction. Radiation technology has also helped India the thorium cycle, the first (1971) running on plutonium increase its exports of food items, including to the most fuel fabricated at BARC, the second and third (1984 & developed markets in the world. 1990) on U-233 fuel made from thorium - U-233 having

India's hybrid Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Plant been first separated in 1970.

(NDDP) at Kalpakkam, comprising of Reverse Osmosis In 1998 a 500 keV accelerator was commissioned at (RO) based unit of 1.8 million litres per day BARC for research on accelerator-driven subcritical commissioned in 2002 and a Multi Stage Flash (MSF) systems as an option for stage three of the thorium cycle. desalination plant of 4.5 million litres per day, as well as a

barge-mounted RO desalination unit commissioned There are plans for a new 30 MWt multi-purpose recently, help address the shortage of water in water-research reactor for radioisotope production, testing stressed coastal areas.nuclear fuel and reactor materials, and basic research. It

is to be capable of conversion to an accelerator-driven

system later.

Two civil research reactors at the Indira Gandhi Centre for

Atomic Research at Kalpakkam are preparing for stage

two of the thorium cycle. The 40 MWt fast breeder test

reactor (FBTR) has been operating since 1985, and has

achieved 165 GWday/tonne burnup with its carbide fuel

(70% PuC + 30% UC) without any fuel failure. In 2005

the FBTR fuel cycle was closed, with the reprocessing of

100 GWd/t fuel - claimed as a world first. This has been

made into new mixed carbide fuel for FBTR. Prototype FBR

fuel which is under irradiation testing in FBTR has reached

a burnup of 90 GWd/tonne. FBTR is based on the French

Rapsodie FBR design. Also the tiny Kamini (Kalpakkam

mini) reactor is exploring the use of thorium as nuclear

fuel, by breeding fissile U-233. BHAVINI is located here

and draws upon the centre's expertise and that of NPCIL

in establishing the fast reactor program.

Report


Non-proliferation, US-India Agreement &

NSG

NPT - A Political Issue

�

the past" - where India was excluded from the NPT. After

much delay in India's parliament, it then set up a new and

comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA, plus India's nuclear industry has been largely without IAEA an Additional Protocol. The IAEA board approved this in safeguards, though four nuclear power plants (see July 2008, after the agreement had threatened to bring above) have been under facility-specific arrangements down the Indian government. The agreement is similar to related to India's INFCIRC/66 safeguards agreement those between IAEA and non nuclear weapons states, with IAEA. notably Infcirc-66, the IAEA's information circular that

lays out procedures for applying facility-specificIndia's situation as a nuclear-armed country excluded it safeguards, hence much more restrictive than many in from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)* so this India's parliament wanted. and the related lack of full-scope IAEA safeguards meant

that India was isolated from world trade by the Nuclear The next step in bringing India into the fold was the Suppliers' Group. A clean waiver to the trade embargo consensus resolution of the 45-member Nuclear was agreed in September 2008 in recognition of the Suppliers Group (NSG) in September 2008 to exempt country's impeccable non-proliferation credentials. India India from its rule of prohibiting trade with non members has always been scrupulous in ensuring that its weapons of the NPT. A bilateral trade agreement then went to US material and technology are guarded against Congress for final approval. Similar agreements will commercial or illicit export to other countries. apply with Russia and France. The ultimate objective is to

put India on the same footing as China in respect to

responsibilities and trade opportunities, though it has had

to accept much tighter international controls than other India could only join the NPT if it disarmed and joined as

nuclear-armed countries.a Non Nuclear Weapons State, which is politically

impossible.The introduction to India's safeguards agreement says

that India's access to assured supplies of fresh fuel is an Following the 2005 agreement between US and Indian

"essential basis" for New Delhi's acceptance of IAEA heads of state on nuclear energy cooperation, the UK

safeguards on some of its reactors and that India has a indicated its strong support for greater cooperation and

right to take "corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted France then Canada then moved in the same direction.

operation of its civilian nuclear reactors in the event of The US Department of Commerce, the UK and Canada

disruption of foreign fuel supplies." But the introduction relaxed controls on export of technology to India, though

also says that India will "provide assurance against staying within the Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines.

withdrawal of safeguarded nuclear material from civilian The French government said it would seek a nuclear

use at any time." In the course of NSG deliberations India cooperation agreement, and Canada agreed to "pursue

also gave assurances regarding weapons testing.further opportunities for the development of the peaceful

uses of atomic energy" with India.In October 2008 US Congress passed the bill allowing

civil nuclear trade with India, and a nuclear trade In December 2006 the US Congress passed legislation to

agreement was signed with France. The 2008 enable nuclear trade with India. Then in July 2007 a

agreements ended 34 years of trade isolation on nuclear nuclear cooperation agreement with India was finalized,

materials and technology.opening the way for India's participation in international

commerce in nuclear fuel and equipment and requiring India's safeguards agreement was signed early in 2009,

India to put most of the country's nuclear power reactors though the time frame for bringing the eight extra reactors

under IAEA safeguards and close down the Cirus (beyond Tarapur, Rawatbhata and Kudankulam) under

research reactor by 2010. It would allow India to safeguards still has to be finalised. The Additional

reprocess US-origin and other foreign-sourced nuclear Protocol to the safeguards agreement was agreed by the

fuel at a new national plant under IAEA safeguards. This IAEA Board in March 2009, but needs to be ratified by

would be used for fuel arising from those 14 reactors India.

designated as unambiguously civilian and under full IAEA

safeguards.

The IAEA greeted the deal as being "a creative break with

Report


(Source: World Nuclear Association)

Leading companies and experts involved in India's SCHOTT is a key player in the worldwide nuclear industry,

ambitious nuclear power development programme and having supplied more than 5,000 Electrical Penetration

German International Technology Group SCHOTT, a key Assemblies (EPAs) for more than 50 nuclear power plants

player in the worldwide nuclear industry got together at a in the last 40 years.

symposium recently in Mumbai to discuss about 'Safety Chairman & Managing Director of the Nuclear Power

Technologies for Future Reactors' and various other Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said the

aspects of India's nuclear energy development country's economy is growing at a rate of more than 7.0

programme.percent per annum. “In order to meet the country's rising

The objective of the symposium, organized by SCHOTT, a energy requirements, all energy sources have to be

leading provider of secure and reliable electrical developed and deployed to support the sustainability of

penetrations for safety-critical applications in nuclear long-term economic growth”, he said.

power plants worldwide, was to discuss about current and Executive Director (Engineering & Procurement)

future technologies for the safe operation of nuclear K.B. Dixit said that India had over the past 35 years

power plants across the globe, including India. Leadingdemonstrated full capability in all facets of building a

scientists and technologists from top organizations, commercial nuclear power plant.

including Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd Sharing his views on the theme, the 'Future of the Indian (NPCIL), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Nuclear Industry', Dixit said India is well versed in all areas Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)of reactor building, such as siting, designing,and Larsen & Toubro, were present at the symposium manufacturing, construct ion, operat ion and which also dwelt on expectations from the industry about maintenance, renovation and modernization, waste future partners to India's civilian nuclear programme. management and decommissioning.

“This symposium aims to bring together authoritative He said India has planned an ambitious nuclear program figures in the Indian nuclear industry to discuss vital to add 20,000 MW or more by 2020. This large scale developments and build greater understanding of the deployment scenario in a densely populated country like availability of international technology driven products India lends utmost importance to safety features. for the Indian nuclear industry. The symposium will also

provide an opportunity to review the cutting-edge Dixit said, “The sustainability of our long-term economic technology developed for the continued safe operation of growth is critically dependent on our ability to meet our nuclear power plants”, said SCHOTT Electronics Chief energy requirements of the future. When our country Executive Officer GmbH Hermann Ditz. grows at a rate of above 7.0 percent per annum, energy

becomes a critical issue. All energy sources have to be

developed to meet the energy requirements of the country

since we do not have the choice. The energy that we

generate has to be cost effective and affordable, not only

in terms of its first cost, but also in terms of the cost to our

environment. Nuclear power is recognized as an

important and environmentally benign constituent of the

overall energy mix. The future of the Indian nuclear

industry is therefore a bright and glowing one. It would be

a realistic estimate that India could add more than

20,000 MW of power by 2020.”

S.K. Jain

NPCIL,

Event


SCHOTT's Symposium on Safety

Tech for Future Indian N-Reactors

“India is committed to the three-stage nuclear power competitive supply of power to the grid.

development program involving the use of pressurized Dr. R. K. Sinha, Director (Reactor Design and

heavy water reactors, the fast breeder reactors and the Development Group) at BARC, dwelt on the current status

thorium reactors. The country is also focused on capacity and future plans of the Indian Advanced Reactor

addition through imported designs, with indigenous Programme.

content progressively increasing up to 80 percent,” he Prabhat Kumar, Project Director at BHAVINI provided an added.insight into the expectations towards the industries

Dixit further said, “With a large thorium reserve and involved in the construction of the first 500 MWe Fast

accumulated technological and operational expertise Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.

over the last 35 years, India is well poised to become a He said, “India is committed to a three-stage nuclear world leader in the nuclear industry. Nonetheless, to power development program involving the use of support the growth of this industry, there are some pressurized heavy water reactors, the fast breeder challenges that the nation must overcome. These include reactors and the thorium reactors. The country is also developing skilled manpower, nurturing a culture of focused on capacity addition through indigenization with safety and security, coming up with ways to optimize new progressively higher local content for imported designs, builds and achieving cost-competitive supply of power to up to 80 percent. With a large thorium reserve and the grid.” accumulated technological and operational expertise

L&T Deputy General Manager Hari Ravindran said, over the last 35 years, India is well-poised to become a

“Collaborative efforts and consolidation of the Indian world leader in the nuclear industry.”

industry based on domain expertise will help leverage the SCHOTT Glass India Private Ltd, is an international Indian industry's strength to meet the scale and speed technology group headed by Mohan Joshi. It is a 100 required by India's Nuclear Power Programme. This percent subsidiary of SCHOTT with sales offices in approach will help realize the country's potential to be a Mumbai and Pune and 400 employees at the global hub for equipment and services in the ensuing manufacturing unit for glass tubing in Vadodara.nuclear renaissance.” His speech touched on the SCHOTT KAISHA Private Ltd., a 50:50 joint venture of opportunities and challenges for the Indian nuclear SCHOTT AG and KAISHA Manufacturers Private Ltd., is power sector supply chain. L&T is a major contributor to the leading manufacturer of primary pharmaceutical the success of the Indian nuclear power programme. packaging made of glass in India.

Dr. Oliver Fritz, a Technology Expert from SCHOTTSCHOTT Glass India President Joshi talked about the Electronic Packaging in Germany talked about the latest company's operations in India. “SCHOTT set up its sales technical developments regarding glass-to-metal sealed office in Mumbai in 1998. We enhanced our commitment (GTMS) feedthroughs. “Glass-to-metal sealed to India with the acquisition of Bharat Glass Tube Ltd penetrations provide pass-through for power, control and during the same year and a subsequent joint venture with instrumentation cables to the thousands of instruments, KAISHA Manufacturers Private Ltd. in 2008”, he said. control panels, electric motors and many other electric

and electronic devices within a nuclear power plant”, Dr. SCHOTT Glass India Private Limited sees its core purpose Fritz said. “They maintain the pressure boundary integrity as the lasting improvement of living and working of the containment structure for periods far above 60 conditions of the people. The company has been years design lifetime and will enhance the safety levels of developing special materials, components and systems the new generation of reactor designs”, he added. for 125 years. The main areas of focus are the household

appliances industry, pharmaceuticals, solar energy,

electronics, optics and the automotive industry. The

SCHOTT Group is present in close proximity to its

customers with production and sales companies in all its As with all countries initiating nuclear programs, major markets. The Group has approximately 17,300 developing skilled manpower and nurturing a culture of employees. The company's technological and economic safety and security is a big challenge. Another vital topic expertise is closely linked with its social and ecological at the symposium was the development of ways to responsibility. The SCHOTT AG is an affiliate of the Carl-optimize new builds and overcome the absence of Zeiss-Stiftung (Foundation).experience with new designs in order to achieve cost-

Developing skills for the Advanced Reactor

Program

�

Event


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